Comm Bank Group’s 9-month gross income up 30.88-pct to Rs 256 Bn
A heightened emphasis on lending has seen the Commercial Bank Group increase gross loans and advances by Rs 51.404 billion in the third quarter of 2023 at a …
Economy & Markets
Full Budget Speech 2024
DOWNLOAD DOWNLOAD President Ranil Wickremesinghe, serving as the Minister of Finance, presented the 2024 budget to Parliament under the theme "Prelude to a …
Tax Administration and Tax Policy Revisions
Excise Department Introduction of an online license-issuing system. And increase in the Excise License fees. Introduction of Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) …
Sri Lanka Allocates Rs. 3000 Bn for Sovereign Bond Settlement in 2024 Budget
Sri Lanka has earmarked a substantial Rs. 3000 billion for the execution of foreign debt restructuring and the settlement of international sovereign bonds …
Reliefs for Government Servants Extended in Budget 2024
The cost-of-living allowance for public servants will be increased to LKR 17,800 from LKR 7,800 with effect from 01 January 2024 and the payment will commence …
Sri Lanka Budget Speech 2024 – Highlights
President and Finance Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is delivering the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the financial year 2024 in Parliament. Sri …
Government urged to crack down on tax evaders instead of taxpayers: Harsha
In a press conference held yesterday, MP Harsha de Silva, Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, shed light on the government's tax collection efforts, …
Focus on Including Private Sector Proposals for Building the Economy in the Budget
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced his intention to prioritize the inclusion of proposals from the private sector in this year's budget and to …
Ceylon Chamber Advocates for a Balanced Fiscal Approach Over Proposed VAT rate hike
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce raises concerns regarding the proposed increase of the Value Added Tax (VAT) to 18%. While recognising the government's …
PUCSL electricity tariff revision discriminatory: Advocata
Electricity tariff design must meet two main objectives: firstly, raising the money needed to pay for the costs of provision, and secondly, sending the right …
World Bank Managing Director Visits Sri Lanka, Stresses Need to Pursue Reforms, Invest in People
World Bank Managing Director for Operations, Anna Bjerde, concluded her four-day visit to Sri Lanka today, encouraging the Government of Sri Lanka to stay the …
VAT to be increased to 18-pct from January; coverage will be expanded to meet targets agreed with IMF
The current Value Added Tax (VAT) rate is to be increased to 18% with effect from 01-01-2024, and to impose the tax on certain goods and services to which the …
Opinion: Reforming tax incentive structure in Sri Lanka
The second tranche of the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Extended Fund Facility (EFF) was delayed as the country failed to meet some of the program …
CDS signs Agreement with LankaPay Online Payment Platform
The Central Depository Systems (CDS), a fully owned subsidiary of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), recently signed an agreement with LankaPay, Sri Lanka's …
Sri Lanka’s exports dropped by 15-pct in Sept compared to Aug amid decreased demand
Sri Lanka’s merchandise exports decreased by 11.88 % to US$ 951.5 Million in September 2023 compared to September 2022 as per the provisional data released …
IMF Reaches Staff-Level Agreement on First Review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility Arrangement
IMF staff and the Sri Lankan authorities have reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the first review of the 48-month EFF-supported …
United Motors to Acquire Dutch Lanka Trailers for LKR700mn
October 17, 2023 (LBO) - Colombo Stock Exchange listed United Motors (UML) has entered into a share purchase agreement for the purchase of 100% of Dutch Lanka …
CSE creates awareness on Regulated Short Selling (RSS) through Stock Borrowing and Lending (SBL)
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) conducted a series of virtual workshops and intends to continue more workshops on Regulated Short Selling (RSS) through Stock …
Privatisation is the need of the hour:Advocata
“At the interim budget last year, a list of SOEs reforms were provided to be restructured. 14 months later nothing has changed even in one SOE.”- Prof. …